Wild turkeys released in Nine Mile Canyon

On Jan. 15, 2009, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) released 26 wild turkeys in Nine Mile Canyon on property owned by the Bill Barrett Corporation. These turkeys came from southwest Utah, where turkey populations have reached an optimum size, allowing for the removal of surplus birds. In past years, the DWR has partnered with the National Wild Turkey Federation in importing birds from populations outside the state. Finally, Utah's flocks have grown to a point where surplus birds are produced within the states borders. The 26 birds are of the Rio Grande variety, prized for its ability to adapt to low elevation pinyon-juniper, riparian and agricultural settings. The new transplants will supplement a small flock of turkeys that were released about 10 years ago.